Tilden Finishes in Top-Five, But Scots Tie for Seventh at Own Tourney

Michael Tilden shot a two-over on Saturday to move up to an individual tie for fourth-place.

For the sixth time in seven seasons, Otterbein College won The College of Wooster’s annual spring golf tournament, as the Cardinals carded 306 and 308 on Friday and Saturday, respectively, at the Wooster Country Club’s par-72, 6,454-yard course for a 614 total to take the Nye Intercollegiate trophy. Individual medalist honors also went to Otterbein, as sophomore Andy Miller used a two-under 70 during Saturday’s round to win by three strokes with a one-over-par 145.

Otterbein won by 10 strokes, with its nearest competition in the 16-team field being Mt. Union College (624) and DePauw University (625), while Ohio Wesleyan University (629), Olivet College (631), and John Carroll University (632) filled out the top-six.

Wooster couldn’t take advantage of playing on its home course, as the Fighting Scots, who were coming off back-to-back top-three finishes at tourneys, tied for seventh with Baldwin-Wallace College (634). The Scots totaled 315 on Friday, but dropped back four shots Saturday.

Miller’s closest competition was DePauw junior Jay Burkhardt (73-75=148), as they were the only two to shoot under 150, while for Wooster, senior Michael Tilden led his squad once again with a tie for fourth (77-74=151).

Classmate Joe Punturi shot a 78 Friday, but did not score on Saturday for the Scots with his 83, tying for 32nd overall (161). Sophomore Andy Van Horn and senior Tyler Scott scored both days, but finished behind Punturi in a tie for 38th-place, each with identical rounds of 80 and 82. Also totaling 162 and scoring on Saturday was junior Brandon Tylka (81-81).

Wooster had several individuals compete, too, as the Scots look to sort out their lineup for the final two tournaments of the spring. Leading that group were junior Mike Becker, who finished alone in 50th (82-82=164) and sophomore Matt Mellott in a tie for 55th (82-84=166).

Next weekend (April 23-24), Wooster will be at Ohio Wesleyan University’s Strimer Invitational, as its final tune-up prior to the North Coast Athletic Conference Championships.